Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) and Other Maine Political Leaders, Including Governor Janet T. Mills, Urged a FEMA Extension, Which was Approved by the Biden Administration.

The Biden Administration has announced it is extending federal cost share imeasures to July 1 2022 amid the ongoing public health emergency according to a press release issued today from the office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D).

Currently, FEMA provides a 100% federal cost share for eligible COVID-19 emergency response measures to help reimburse the city of Portland for providing non-congregate housing for vulnerable communities, including asylum seekers, whose emergency measure was set to expire on April 1, 2022.  The extension follows a push from members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation and Governor Janet Mills who wrote to President Joe Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell urging an extension.

“Maine communities are continuing to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prematurely ending emergency aid would only stunt our recovery.  We welcome the Biden Administration’s decision to extend this crucial fedeal support for our cities and our vulnerable populations,” according to a joint statement from the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills.  “We will continue to advocate for additional opportunities to help our communities safely recover from the pandemic without taking on a significant and potentially damaging financial burden.”

For more background information on the subject, please visit post herein dated February 18, 2022.